Romance Writers Unlimited

Thursday, March 27, 2008

I didn't have to look far for a T13 this week. Just a glance to the left showed me thirteen books sitting on my next-in-line shelf.

The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
Neverwhere - Neil Gaiman
The City of God - EL Doctorow
The Good Guy - Dean Koontz
Duma Key - Stephen King
The WasteLands: Dark Tower III - Stephen King
Invisible Monsters - Chuck Palahniuk
Beloved - Tony Morrison
The Human Stain - Phillip Roth
Oryx and Crake - Margaret Atwood
The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
Leaves of Grass - Walt Whitman
As a Driven Leaf - Milton Steinberg

Some of these have been sitting on that shelf a long, long time. Others, I've started, set aside and still haven't gotten back to. The Whitman is lovely because I can pick it up and enjoy it during a stolen moment.

Gone are the days when I could curl up into a chair with the latest King novel knowing I'd be there until dawn lit the sky. I miss that degree of absorption. These days, I fall asleep after, oh, roughly thirty minutes. And, getting back to a book, once I've set it down, can take weeks.

Well, it's a little late for a new year's resolution but I'm making a promise to myself to finish these thirteen books before the end of 08.

posted by Ramblin' Rose at 4:08 PM

11 Comments:

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At March 27, 2008 at 4:42 PM, Gina Ardito aka Katherine Brandon said........

You've got some really good ones on the list. I agree about Whitman's Leaves of Grass. It's one of those books you pick up when you need quick inspiration. Every word is superb!

At March 27, 2008 at 5:01 PM, Zee said........

Time Traveler's Wife was difficult for me to start. I tried three or four times. Finally, I listened to the audio version through my iPod. Interesting book. My fav on your list is The Alchemist. You might knock that off in a late afternoon, but you will find yourself copying lines on post-its and plastering these gems on your mirror. I love that book! You do have a rather deep stack -- good luck! (I have a basket and next week is Spring Break... soooo.. I hope to find some time for actual relaxation away from writing).

At March 27, 2008 at 5:32 PM, Leslie Ann Dennis said........

OMG, Ali.... I suffer from the same reading malady! I used to open a book, get so wrapped up in it that when I finally realized the sun was up and it was a new day, I was disappointed! LOL! I lived to read! And nowadays, I find myself doing the same thing.. nodding off after about half an hour and unable to re-motivate myself to get back into the book after I've put it down. WHYYYYYYYYYY??? I loved those days.

Anyhoo.. back to your books. I have a few of the same books -- many of the same author. Dumas Key is sitting there, currently gathering dust, but I wanna read it!! My copy of Leaves of Grass is a thin hardback and it's in pitiful shape. I got it as a graduation gift from my BFFs mother and she wrote it in. Since she passed away about 8 yrs ago, it's even more special to me and I gingerly get it out and read a snippet and smile. I love that book. I have a few Neil Gaiman's books (American Gods and Anansi Boys) -- I much prefer Terry Pratchett (his friend whom he writes with sometimes). I have a few Karen Hawking books (Scottish historicals.. I love those!) and a couple of sexy Bravas waiting to be read too.

So who do we talk to about getting a couple more hours added to the day (for recreation only, of course!)

Love the post!

At March 27, 2008 at 5:35 PM, Ramblin' Rose said........

Leslie, if someone gave us a couple more hours in the day, someone else would find a way to use them up. LOL

At March 27, 2008 at 6:02 PM, Amber Green said........

I couldn't read Beloved. Too painful. Morrison's Song of Solomon is one I go back to every couple of years, though.

At March 27, 2008 at 9:01 PM, Unknown said........

Unfortunately I can still stay awake reading, which is why I've switched to doing puzzles instead of 'reading a bit' before going to bed!

It's also why I don't have a 'to be read' pile. Although I am compiling a wish list...sort of the same thing. :-).

At March 28, 2008 at 9:09 AM, Anonymous said........

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At March 28, 2008 at 4:59 PM, Sandra Cormier said........

Quite the collection! I have half-read books scattered all over the house. I'm surprised when I pick one up and discover that I actually finished reading it.

At March 31, 2008 at 1:13 PM, Judith Leger said........

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At March 31, 2008 at 1:20 PM, Judith Leger said........

Okay, I admit it. I guess I'm the odd ball around here. My favorite books are even mentioned above except for the one by the authors listed to the left.

I'm more into the deep romances. Yep, I'm a totally addicted to them. Those I can sink into and stay there until the last page is turned. I just love a Happy Ending!

At March 31, 2008 at 1:48 PM, Shakespeares Sister said........

I'm so lame because I've never read the book, but I did see the movie version of The HUman Stain, and Ali, it's amazing. Wentworth Miller absolutely breaks your heart. I thought about its message for days after I saw it.